Lawmakers say China building 'unfriendly navy in space'

China landed this lunar probe on the moon's surface in December of 2013. American leaders say the Chinese program doesn't come in peace. (Chinese release)

Is China building an "unfriendly navy in space"?

Some powerful American lawmakers said "yes" at a space conference in Alabama this month. And that means any dreams of China as part of an international Team Humanity sailing to distant worlds - and helping pay for it - just aren't coming true anytime soon.

U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) represents the 7th Congressional District in Houston, home of NASA's Johnson Space Center. More importantly, Culberson chairs the subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee that writes NASA's budget.

When Culberson talks space, people listen. And he did that Oct. 6 in Huntsville on a panel at the Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop.

"I think it's fine to partner with the Europeans," Culberson said. "They've been with us and do very, very good work. Unfortunately, the Chinese government has proven to be one of the most aggressive in the world at, frankly, stealing intellectual property."

Culberson shares the belief among some American military leaders that China views space as a new military high ground. A place for peaceful exploration? Maybe, some day in some way. A sea to project power onto? Definitely, as soon as possible.

"We all need to understand with our eyes wide open that the Chinese space program is owned lock, stock and barrel by the People's Liberation Army," Culberson said. "And they are, of course, a communist nation that is not friendly to us."

Culberson accused China of stealing intellectual and personal information "at every opportunity they get." The practice is so extensive and widespread, he said, American laws require NASA and others working with key space technology "get every purchase of computer technology or telecommunications technology approved ... to be sure that it doesn't include chips or hardware built in China."

"It's unfortunately a terrible problem," Culberson said. He said a general also on the panel "is exactly right. The Chinese are aggressively building a navy in space, and we need to be aware that it's not friendly."

North Alabama's U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville), agreed and added, "I put Russia in the same ballpark. It is certainly a geopolitical foe." Brooks is vice-chair of the space subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and a founding member of the House NASA Caucus.

So, could America share the cost of space exploration with anyone? "Japan, India, Australia, Europe," Brooks said. "We need to interact with them as much as we possibly can."

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